Perpignan poised to poach Charteris
Towering Wales lock Luke Charteris looks set to join struggling French rugby giants Perpignan on a three year contract and be reunited with fellow Welsh international James Hook, a source close to the club revealed on Monday.
The 28-year-old Newport Gwent Dragons star – who impressed at the World Cup playing in all seven of Wales’ matches as they went out to France in the semifinals – is the second recent recruit by the 2009 French champions after Tongan prop Sona Taumalolo joined.
If he signs Charteris will become the latest in a growing number of Welsh players plying their trade in France. Scrumhalf Mike Phillips has recently signed for Bayonne and fullback Leigh Byrne plays for Clermont.
Perpignan are in freefall having lost their last seven Top 14 matches after winning four of their first five, the most recent a 19-12 humbling by newly-promoted Lyon on Sunday.
The defeat left Perpignan – whose form has not improved since sacking coach Jacques Delmas a fortnight ago – third from bottom only three points above the relegation places and Lyon have a game in hand.
AFP
